After Being Scummed – Chapter 13

This is a little something from my heart

In Zhang Yu’s surprised gaze, Yin Bai took the phone, cleared her throat, softened her tone, and said to the child on the other end of the line: “Why are you looking for me? Are you all better now? Have you been discharged?”

On the phone screen, Tong Tong looked up and smiled with her eyes curved: “Mhmm… I’m all better… Fairy sister, thank you for sending me the storybook. I came to thank you today!”

Yin Bai smiled: “You’re welcome.”

Tong Tong smiled mischievously: “Fairy sister, we brought you a gift. Can you let me in?”

Yin Bai raised an eyebrow and smiled triumphantly: “Sure, for the sake of the gift.”

Tong Tong immediately became happy and said: “Thank you, Fairy Sister!”

Yin Bai replied: “You’re welcome. I’ll be waiting for you on the first floor. I’ll open the door for you.”

Tong Tong said okay, and Yin Bai then hung up the phone and pressed the door unlock button. She casually tossed the phone to Zhang Yu and said happily: “Let’s go, accompany me downstairs.”

Zhang Yu caught the phone with a mix of curiosity and surprise and said: “Fairy sister… BOSS, where did you find such a sweet-talking kid?!”

Yin Bai, leaning on her cane, turned her head and gave her a rather smug look: “I already said she’s the kid from next door. How about it? I used a few storybooks to lure her in. Not bad for some sweet talk, right?”

“The kid from next door?” Zhang Yu pocketed the phone and hurriedly followed Yin Bai, puzzled: “You mean the one who flew the toy airplane into our balcony and nearly hit you on the head?”

Yin Bai shook her head: “No, it’s her younger sister.”

Zhang Yu was astonished: “She has a younger sister?”

Yin Bai nodded, tapping her cane rhythmically as she descended the stairs: “Yes, she’s a cousin… or maybe a second cousin. Anyway, she’s much cuter than that little troublemaker with the sour face.”

Yin Bai, using her cane, hastened her pace as much as possible, limping downstairs. When she emerged from the lobby, Yin Bai with her cane could already see two figures standing by the entrance from a distance.

The smaller one was Tong Tong, and the taller one was naturally Zuo Jingyou.

Zuo Jingyou wore a navy blue polka-dot dress with spaghetti straps. Her long hair was partially tied up, and she stood gracefully under the archway in front of Yin Bai’s villa. In her hand, she held a gift box, waiting elegantly and dignified for the villa’s owner to appear.

Tong Tong, dressed in a miniature version of the same dress, had her hair in a little bun. She held a small bag in one hand and tugged on the ribbon hanging from her mother’s waist with the other, eagerly peering inside the villa.

When Tong Tong saw Yin Bai’s figure with the cane, her eyes lit up. She let go of the ribbon she was pulling on Zuo Jingyou’s waist and happily waved to Yin Bai: “Fairy sister, over here, over here!”

Yin Bai had a smile on her face too: “Ah, I see you. No need to wave; you’re right at my doorstep!”

Yin Bai, leaning on her cane, quickened her pace toward the children.

Zhang Yu hurriedly followed her, and when she saw the woman standing next to the children, she was suddenly taken aback.

Wait, is that Zuo Jingyou?

The Zuo Jingyou who had recently announced her divorce and caused quite a sensation online? The Zuo Jingyou who, at such a young age, had already won two Golden Actress awards? The same Zuo Jingyou who was a sworn rival of Xiao Nian?

So, it turns out that the child is actually Zuo Jingyou’s daughter? Zuo Jingyou lives right next door to our BOSS?

Why hadn’t she ever noticed this before?

While Zhang Yu was filled with confusion, Yin Bai had already walked out of the doorway and approached Tong Tong. Leaning on her cane, she bent down to look at the neighboring children and cleared her throat, slightly softening her tone. “So, are you all better now? Why did you come to find me?”

Ah, could it be that she came to play with her?

Tong Tong looked up, gazing at Yin Bai with a joyful expression, and spoke in a soft, delicate voice: “Yes, I’m all better. Thank you for caring, Fairy Sister.”

Tong Tong raised the book she was carrying and sweetly smiled at Yin Bai, saying: “Thank you for the book, Fairy Sister. I came today to give it back to you. The books were all very interesting, and I really liked them.”

Yin Bai extended her hand and gently refused, saying: “No need, it’s a gift for you, and I have plenty of books. Take it back with you.”

Tong Tong hesitated, casting a quick glance at Yin Bai. She bit her lower lip with delicate teeth and looked to her side at Zuo Jingyou, her eyes pleading for help.

Zuo Jingyou lowered her gaze to look at Tong Tong, raised her hand to ruffle her hair, and smiled, saying, “Since Fairy Sister said it’s for you, then go ahead and accept it.”

Upon hearing the words “Fairy Sister,” Yin Bai couldn’t help but glance at Zuo Jingyou, her feelings quite complex.

Hey, hey, hey, this is a nickname we use among us kids. Don’t you, as an adult, feel embarrassed saying that?

However, her little companion didn’t pay any attention to her emotions. With her mother’s permission, Tong Tong raised her head, looked at Yin Bai, and said sincerely, “Well then, thank you, Fairy Sister. I also have a gift for you!”

As Tong Tong spoke, she looked up at Zuo Jingyou and sweetly introduced her, “This is my mom. Mom made a delicious cake for me. Since I got discharged from the hospital yesterday, she made a cake today and brought it as a gift to Fairy Sister to thank her for her help.”

Yin Bai responded with an “Oh” and lowered her gaze to the gift box in Zuo Jingyou’s hand, feeling a bit apprehensive.

I wonder if this thing will taste good?

She couldn’t help but recall the times when Xiao Nian had whimsically attempted her hand at cooking, and she had a vague suspicion that the culinary skills of big-name actors in the entertainment industry probably weren’t too impressive.

But… since the children had spoken so kindly, she should reciprocate in some way. So, Yin Bai put on a polite smile and replied, “Thank you for your kind gesture!”

Zuo Jingyou, standing nearby, smiled and handed over the gift box. “This is a little dessert I made, just a small token of appreciation. I hope Ms. Yin can accept it.”

“Our little one will probably come to disturb Ms. Yin quite often in the future.”

Yin Bai accepted the cake and replied with a smile, “No problem at all. We’re neighbors after all.”

After some polite exchanges, Tong Tong raised her head and said to Yin Bai with a cheerful smile, “Fairy Sister, my mom said I’ll be living with my grandma from now on, so I can come and play with you often.”

Tong Tong hesitated for a moment and asked cautiously, “Can I come over to play with you?”

Yin Bai, having received the gift, replied happily, “Of course, you’re welcome anytime. Just try to avoid playing sports or games that involve running around; my legs aren’t in the best shape.”

“Okay, Fairy Sister!”

After exchanging greetings and setting a playtime, the two children happily returned to the neighboring house, bouncing with enthusiasm alongside Zuo Jingyou.

Yin Bai carried the cake in her hand and watched her little companions and their mother head back home, feeling a bit reluctant.

Zhang Yu stood by, observing Yin Bai with her cane, looking at Zuo Jingyou’s departing figure with a hint of reluctance, and an unexpected thought crossed her mind. Zhang Yu raised her hand and playfully tugged at the lace edge of Yin Bai’s shirt sleeve, calling her teasingly, “BOSS! BOSS!”

Yin Bai turned, gave her a sidelong glance, and asked, “What’s up?”

Zhang Yu leaned in close to her ear and asked in a low voice, “Are you by any chance attracted to Teacher Zuo and considering a change of heart?” Otherwise, why were you previously uncooperative, but now you’re getting along with her daughter?

Yin Bai scrutinized her from top to bottom, her expression disdainful. “Is there something wrong with your brain? Do you think I’d get involved with someone just because they’re a single woman?

“You’re insane!” Yin Bai shoved the cake into Zhang Yu’s arms and said in an unfriendly tone, “Her daughter is much more interesting than she is. Can’t you see that her daughter is my new friend?”

“Also, try this cake first. Call me if it’s good!”

Yin Bai couldn’t be bothered with her assistant’s abnormal thoughts and walked upstairs with her cane, making firm and deliberate steps.

The author has something to say:

As always, leave your comments in the front row, and I’ll randomly choose fifty buddies to send red envelopes!

Awoooo, yes, for now, she’s just her little friend’s mom! But who knows what the future holds!